Permanent Magazine Block

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for feeding a store of ammunition into a weapon such that a magazine holds said ammunition wherein said magazine is full size whereby it is blocked from carrying the full capacity of ammunition due to a magazine block that prevents the intentional disassembly of the magazine into its component parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The application relates to methods and mechanisms for blocking magazines in firearms, toy guns, or other dischargeable devices, particularly to a mechanism for blocking magazines that is permanent and prevents intentional disassembly of the magazine into its component parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Prior Art

In compliance with the laws of various regions, certain magazine sizes are not allowed within certain jurisdictions. To allow for various functional magazine sizes while maintaining a uniform manufacturer's total magazine length as well as the aesthetics of a full size magazine, magazine blocks are presently used to fill up space within full size magazines such that the magazine and the block together comply with local regulations by restricting the amount of free functional space for ammunition available within the magazine.

Presently, these magazine blocks are effective but easily removable by the end user. Because the magazine is so easily disassembled into its component parts, the potential for illegal modification of the full size magazine and magazine block is high.

There exists a need for a magazine and magazine block combination that maintains the aesthetic qualities of the full size magazine and the functional limitations of a magazine block that complies with local laws without leaving the magazine and magazine block combination so readily open to illegal modifications.

2. Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of this invention are:

-   -   (a) to provide an aesthetically pleasing ammunition magazine         which has an appearance similar to that of full size magazines;     -   (b) to block the user from illegally using the magazine to carry         more ammunition than is legally required;     -   (c) to prevent intentional disassembly of the magazine into its         component parts;     -   (d) to carry a sufficient and legal number of ammunition safely         and securely;     -   (e) to feed a sufficient and legal number of ammunition safely         and securely.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

In accordance with the present invention a method and apparatus for blocking a full size magazine in such a way as to permanently prevent the magazine from being filled to full capacity such that the magazine cannot be fitted with an illegal or unsafe number of ammunition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of the invention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the full magazine with permanent magazine block, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway of the full magazine with permanent magazine block, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the outside view of the assembled full magazine with permanent magazine block, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the positioning of the clip receiving lock within the interior magazine block and the relationship of this interior magazine block to the full magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1-4

With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the permanent magazine block is herein described. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the full magazine 8 comprises magazine body 1, ammunition 2, ammunition follower 3, spring coil 4, interior magazine block 5, exterior magazine cap 6, and final locking clip 7. Magazine block 5 further comprises clip receiving lock 50.

In certain embodiments, spring coil 4, is placed such that the movement of spring coil 4 is not directly inhibited by interior magazine block 5.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Operation: FIGS. 1-4

As can be seen in FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, ammunition follower 3 lies on top of spring coil 4 which covers interior magazine block 5, the combination of ammunition follower 3, spring coil 4, and interior magazine block 5 is inserted into magazine body 1 and capped at the bottom by exterior magazine cap 6. The final locking clip 7 is then inserted through exterior magazine cap 6 and into interior magazine block 5 where the final locking clip 7 engages lock clip engaging mechanism 51 of interior magazine block 5. The lock formed when final locking clip 7 engages lock clip engaging mechanism 51 is such that it cannot be undone from the outside of the magazine 8.

In the preferred embodiment, after complete assembly of the magazine 8 through the combining of its component parts, a number of rounds of ammunition 2 are inserted into full magazine 8 before or up to, but not exceeding a certain point defined by the configuration, structure, and placement of interior magazine block 5.

In the preferred embodiment, the length of interior magazine block 5 limits the number of rounds of ammunition 2 that can be inserted into full magazine 8. In certain embodiments, interior magazine block 5 may be modifiable to vary the number of rounds of ammunition 2 that full magazine 8 can carry.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Thus, the reader will see that the method and apparatus for blocking a full size magazine in such a way as to permanently prevent the magazine from being filled to full capacity such that the magazine cannot be fitted with an illegal or unsafe number of ammunition.

While the above description contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations of the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Many other variations and embodiments are possible.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

We claim:
 1. A magazine comprising— a body that contains multiple rounds; a follower that supports the rounds; a spring that keeps the follower in contact with the rounds; an interior block that supports the components inside the magazine body; an exterior cap that retains the block, spring, follower and rounds interior to the body; a clip that is installed against the exterior cap.
 2. the magazine of claim 1, wherein the clip is installed against the exterior cap, in a manner that prevents intentional disassembly of the magazine into its component parts.
 3. the magazine of claim 1, wherein the interior block extends into the interior of the body, in a manner that limits the number of rounds that can be contained within the magazine.
 4. the magazine of claim 1, wherein the interior block length is modifiable to vary the number of rounds contained within the magazine. 